Apparatus and system for securing a hollow pile in the ground

ABSTRACT

There is provided an apparatus for securing a hollow pile in the ground. The pile has a wall with an inner surface. The apparatus includes a first actuator and a second actuator. Each of the actuators has a central chamber, a pair of spaced-apart peripheral chambers, a pair of pistons interposed between the central chamber and the peripheral chambers, respectively, and a pair of piston rods coupled to and extending outwards from respectively ones of the pistons. The piston rods of the first actuator are shaped to form protrusions in the pile when the first actuator is actuated to move its piston rods outwards. The apparatus includes a pair of support members operatively connected to the piston rods of the second actuator. The support members are shaped to abut and support the inner surface of the pile when the second actuator is actuated to move its piston rods outwards.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of and is a continuation-in-part of United States application Ser. No. 13/939,940 filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Jul. 11, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference and priority to which is claimed. U.S. application Ser. No. 13/939,940 is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/654,430 filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Oct. 18, 2012, the disclosure of which is also incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

There is provided an apparatus and system for a hollow pile. In particular, there is provided an apparatus and system for securing a hollow pile in the ground.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

United Kingdom Patent No. 1,034,128 to Serota provides a method of securing a pile in the ground. The method includes the step of inserting a tubular casing into the ground and thereafter expanding the casing by means of an expanding mechanism. The expanding mechanism may comprise a plurality of rams radially disposed therearound which are adapted to expand for deforming the casing material.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,995,438 to Pogonowski discloses a plurality of pistons and cylinders suspended from a swage block. The pistons and cylinders are actuatable radially from the longitudinal axis of a tubular member for making a new pile with protrusions for increased load carrying capacity and pull-out resistance.

In the above systems, the pile walls may deform inwards at regions of the pile where the rams/pistons are not pushing outward. This in turn may compromise the integrity of the pile. This inward deformation may also reduce the integrity of the outer pile wall-to-soil contact area and interface, thereby reducing the shaft resistive friction force of the pile.

FIG. 3 of U.S. Pat. No. 4,064,703 to Pogonowski provides a cylindrical housing that holds a multiplicity of barrels. The barrels are in a horizontal plane and fire radially outwards. Rows of bumps in the pile are thereby formed.

The above system may require the outer diameter of the cylindrical housing to be substantially equal to the inner diameter of the pile in order to avoid the above mentioned inward deformations of the pile. Such a system thus may be relatively restrictive in its applications. It may also suffer from the above integrity issues should it be used in piles that are, for example, ¼ inch or larger in diameter compared to the diameter of the cylindrical housing. This is because even a very small amount of inward movement of the pile wall may significantly reduce the integrity of the outer pipe wall-to-soil contact area and interface.

There is accordingly a need for an apparatus for securing a pile in the ground in a manner that maintains the integrity of the pile and its pile wall-to-soil contact surface, while also having the versatility to accommodate variations in the size and types of piles.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

There is provided a system and apparatus for securing a hollow pile in the ground disclosed herein that overcomes the above disadvantages.

There is accordingly provided an apparatus for securing a hollow pile in the ground. The pile has a wall with an inner surface. The apparatus includes a protrusion-forming member selectively extendable outwards towards the inner surface of the pile to create an outwardly-extending protrusion in the pile. The apparatus includes a support member shaped to selectively extend outwards to abut and support the inner surface of the wall of the pile when the protrusion is being formed.

There is also provided a method of securing a hollow pile to the ground using the above set out apparatus. The pile has a bottom portion and a wall with an inner surface extending upwards from the bottom. The method includes driving the pile into the ground. The method includes lowering the apparatus into a portion of the pile driven into the ground. The method includes moving the support member outwards by supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid to the apparatus. The method includes moving the protrusion-forming member outwards and against the wall of the pile by supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid to the apparatus and thereby forming an outwardly-extending protrusion in the pile. The method includes filling the bottom of the pile with a flowable filler material.

There is further provided an apparatus for securing a hollow pile in the ground. The pile has a wall with an inner surface. The apparatus includes a first set of actuators having piston rods with ends shaped to form outwardly-extending protrusions in the pile when the first set of actuators is actuated to extend its piston rods outwards. The apparatus includes a second set of actuators coupled to and interposed between respective ones of the first set of actuators. The apparatus includes a plurality of support members operatively connected to piston rods of the second set of actuators. The support members are shaped to abut and support the inner surface of the pile when the second set of actuators is actuated to extend its piston rods outwards.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will be more readily understood from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof given, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation, partially broken away view of a system for securing a hollow pile into the ground, the system including an apparatus therefor positioned within the pile, the pile being shown in fragment in part to reveal the apparatus;

FIG. 2 is an elevation sectional view of the pile and apparatus taken along lines 2-2 in FIG. 1, the apparatus being shown in a retracted mode;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section sectional view of the pile and apparatus taken along lines 3-3 in FIG. 1, the apparatus being shown in the retracted mode and including a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart protrusion-forming members and support members;

FIG. 4 is an inside, front perspective view of one of the support members of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an elevation sectional view similar to FIG. 2 of the pile and apparatus of FIG. 1, the apparatus being shown in an actuated mode and forming outwardly-extending protrusions in the pile;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional sectional view similar to FIG. 3 of the pile and apparatus of FIG. 1, the apparatus being shown in the actuated mode and forming protrusions in the pile;

FIG. 7 an elevation view of the pile of FIG. 1, the pile having a plurality of radially and axially spaced-apart protrusions extending along its length;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional sectional view taken along lines 8-8 of FIG. 7 showing the pile of FIG. 7 filled with a pile fill material, in this example concrete;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the pile of FIG. 7 shown in fragment, showing some of the protrusions of the pile in greater detail;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a support member for a system and apparatus for securing a hollow pile in the ground according a second aspect;

FIG. 11 is a front elevation, partially broken away view of a system for securing a hollow pile into the ground according to a third aspect, the system including an apparatus therefor positioned within the pile, the apparatus including a first set of actuators having protrusion-forming members connected thereto, a second set of actuators having support members connected thereto, and a plurality of hydraulic conduits connecting to the actuators, the pile being shown in fragment in part to reveal the apparatus, the apparatus being shown in a retracted mode;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged, fragmentary side elevation, partially broken away view of the apparatus and pile of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a front elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 11, with the support members and pile filler conduit not being shown;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the first set of actuators of the apparatus of FIG. 12, the hydraulic conduits, the second set of actuators and the support members not being shown;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view one of the first set of actuators taken along lines 15-15 of FIG. 14, together with a sectional, fragmentary view of the pile, with the pile filler conduit not being shown;

FIG. 16 is a top, side perspective view of a lower part of the apparatus of FIG. 12, with the upper part of the apparatus as well as the hydraulic conduits and pile filler conduit being removed;

FIG. 17 is an interior elevation view of one of the support members of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view of one of the second set of actuators taken along lines 18-18 of FIG. 16, together with a sectional, fragmentary view of the pile;

FIG. 19 is a side elevation, partially broken away view of the apparatus and pile of FIG. 11 similar to FIG. 12, with the apparatus being shown in an actuated mode;

FIG. 20 is a sectional view of the apparatus and pile of FIG. 19 taken along lines 20-20 of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a front perspective view of a system for securing a hollow pile into the ground according to a fourth aspect, the system including an apparatus similar to FIG. 11 with the support members and the pile filler conduit not being shown, the apparatus being shown in fragment;

FIG. 22 is a front elevation view of a system for securing a hollow pile into the ground according to a fifth aspect together with a truck shown in fragment, the pile also being shown in fragment, the system including an apparatus similar to FIG. 11 which is shown in the process of forming protrusions in the pile;

FIG. 23 is a front elevation view of the system of FIG. 22 with the apparatus now removed, the pile being shown partially in section, the system including partially filling a portion of the bottom of the pile with a flowable filler material in the form of sand in this example and the system including filling the top of the pile with a pile fill material in the form of concrete;

FIG. 24 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 15 of one of a first set of actuators, together with a sectional, fragmentary view of the pile, for a system for securing a hollow pile into the ground according to a sixth aspect, the actuators having telescoping pistons; and

FIG. 25 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 18 of one of the second set of actuators of the system of FIG. 24, together with a sectional, fragmentary view of the pile, the actuators having telescoping pistons.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings and first to FIG. 1, there is shown a system 18 for securing a hollow pile, in this example tubular pile 22, in the ground 24. There is also typically groundwater within the ground, as shown by the groundwater table 23 in FIG. 1. In other embodiments, the pile may be rectangular, square, hexagonal, or octagonal in cross-section, for example. The pile has an open top end 26, a bottom end 28 spaced-apart from the top end, a bottom 29 positioned adjacent to the bottom end, a side wall 30 that is annular in this example, and an interior 32. In this example, bottom end 28 of the pile 22 is closed.

In other embodiments the bottom end may be open. In this case, the pile 22 may be pile driven into the ground, with interior 32 of the pile then being cleaned out. The packed-in ground at the bottom end of the pile would function to at least partially seal the interior 32 of the pile thereby.

The wall extends from end 26 to end 28. The wall 30 has an inner surface 34 in communication with the interior 32 of the pile 22 and an outer surface 36 facing outwards away from the pile. The pile 22 has a longitudinal axis 38 that extends through ends 26 and 28. The pile is shown in FIG. 1 already driven into the ground 24 via a pile driver (not shown). The driving of piles into the ground per se is well known to those skilled in the art and therefore will not be described in more detail.

The system 18 includes a lifting and lowering assembly, in this example in the form of a winch mechanism 40 and a winch mount 42. The winch mechanism is supported by the winch mount, which in this example is an angled, frame structure positionable above open top end 26 of the pile 22. The winch mechanism 40 selectively lowers and raises a cable 44 that extends into the interior 32 of the pile 22. Winch mechanisms per se, including their parts, support structures and various functionings, are well known to those skilled in the art and therefore mechanism 40 and mount 42 will not be described in further detail.

The system 18 includes an apparatus 20 for securing pile 22 in the ground 24. The apparatus is operatively connected to cable 44 and is positionable within the interior 32 of the pile via the winch mechanism 40, as seen in FIG. 1.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the apparatus 20 includes a housing 46 that is substantially cylindrical in this example with a hollow interior 53. As seen in FIG. 2, the housing includes a closed top 48 and a closed bottom 50 spaced-apart from the top. The top and bottom of the housing 46 are circular in this example. Cable 44 is connectable to top 48 of the housing in this example via a loop-shaped connector. However, this is not strictly necessary and other ways of connecting cable 44 to the housing 46 are possible. As seen in FIG. 2, top 48 of the housing has a pair of radially spaced-apart apertures 49 and 51 extending therethrough.

As best seen in FIG. 3, the housing 46 includes an outer wall 52 that is annular in this example, and an inner wall 54 that is also annular in this example. The outer and inner walls extend between and are connected together via the top 48 and bottom 50 of the housing, as shown in FIG. 2. The inner wall 54 of the housing 46 is thus operatively connected to and is radially-inwardly spaced-apart from the outer wall 52.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the apparatus 20 includes a plurality of axially spaced-apart, circumferentially arranged sets 31, 33, 35, 37, 39 and 41 of circumferentially spaced-apart sleeves, as shown by sleeve 43 seen FIG. 3. The sleeves extend between and connect the outer wall 52 and inner wall 54 together. The sets 31, 33, 35, 37, 39 and 41 of sleeves are axially spaced-apart. In this example, there are six sets and each set 37 of sleeves comprises four circumferentially spaced-apart sleeves 43 as seen in FIG. 3.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the apparatus 20 includes a plurality of axially spaced-apart, circumferentially arranged sets 71 and 73 of circumferentially spaced-apart braces, as shown by brace 75. The braces extend between the outer wall 52 and inner wall 54 and connect the outer wall and inner wall together. In this example, there are two sets 71 and 73 which are axially spaced-apart. As seen in FIG. 3, each set 73 of braces 75 in this example comprises four circumferentially spaced-apart braces interposed between the sleeves 43. Other numbers of sleeves and braces are possible in other embodiments.

As seen in FIG. 2, the housing 46 includes a central passageway 57 that extends from top 48 to bottom 50 of the housing. The passageway is tubular in this example and is positioned to be coaxially with the pile 22. Passageway 57 is aligned with the longitudinal axis 38 of the pile in this example.

Referring back to FIG. 1, system 18 includes a truck 66 in this example and a pile fill material mixer, in this example a concrete mixer 61 having a pile fill material, in this example concrete therein. In other embodiments, the fill material can be sand, or control density fill, for example. The mixer is mounted on the truck in this example. System 18 includes a conduit 63 that selectively connects to the mixer 61 and extends through the passageway 57, as seen in FIG. 2, with the distal end 69 of the conduit aligning adjacent to the bottom 50 of the housing 46 in this example. The passageway 57 is shaped to receive the wet concrete therethrough for filling the pile 22 with the concrete at those portions below the apparatus 20 upon raising the housing to a different longitudinal section along the pile 22.

As seen in FIG. 2, the housing 46 includes in this example an outer chamber 56 interposed between the inner wall 54 and the outer wall 52 of the housing. The outer chamber is also interposed between outer, annular portion 45 of the top 48 and outer, annular portion 47 of the bottom 50 of the housing. The sleeves 43 extend through the outer chamber 56. As seen in FIG. 2, chamber 56 is in fluid communication with aperture 49.

The housing 46 includes an inner chamber 58 positioned between the inner wall 54 of the housing and passageway 57. Interior 53 of the housing 46 may be said to include chambers 56 and 58. As seen in FIG. 2, the inner chamber is also interposed between annular, inner portion 65 of the top 48 and annular, inner portion 67 of the bottom 50 of the housing. Portions 45 and 47 of the top and bottom of the housing are radially outwardly spaced-apart from portions 65 and 67 of the top and bottom of the housing. The outer chamber 56 and the inner chamber 58 are both annular in this example. Aperture 51 of top 48 is in fluid communication with chamber 58.

As best seen in FIG. 1, system 18 includes a first pressurized hydraulic fluid source, in this example a reservoir 62 from which hydraulic fluid is pumped under a first pressure. The system includes a second pressurized hydraulic fluid source, in this example a reservoir 64 from which hydraulic fluid is pumped under a second pressure. The reservoirs are mounted on the truck 66 in this example. The system 18 includes a pair of conduits 68 and 70 that are hydraulically connected to reservoirs 62 and 64, respectively. As seen in FIG. 2, conduit 68 connects to top 48 of housing 46 via aperture 51. Reservoir 62 is thus in fluid communication with inner chamber 58. Conduit 70 connects to the top 48 of the housing 46 in this example via aperture 49 and thus reservoir 64 is in fluid communication with outer chamber 56.

Referring to FIG. 3, the apparatus 20 includes a plurality of spaced-apart protrusion-forming members 72 and 74. The protrusion-forming members radially extend outwards in this example and are circumferentially spaced-apart. There are three axially spaced-apart, circumferentially-arranged sets 77, 79 and 81 of protrusion-forming members in this example, as seen in FIG. 2. Each set in this example comprises eight circumferentially spaced-apart protrusion-forming members in this example, as seen by protrusion-forming members 72 and 74 for set 79 in FIG. 3. The protrusion-forming members 72 and 74 slidably extend through corresponding axially spaced-apart and circumferentially spaced-apart apertures of the housing 46 in this example, as shown by apertures 76 and 78 in FIG. 3 for protrusion-forming members 72 and 74.

Each protrusion-forming member has a proximal end in communication with chamber 56 and a distal end which is radially spaced-apart from the proximal end, as seen by proximal end 80 and distal end 82 for protrusion-forming member 72. The protrusion-forming members are thus in fluid communication with the outer chamber 56. The distal ends 82 of the protrusion-forming members are conical in this example, though this is not strictly required. For example, the distal ends may have pyramid-like shapes or be dome-shaped in other embodiments. The distal ends of the protrusion-forming members 72 are outwardly tapered with outer pointed portions 83 and base portions 85 which are spaced-apart from and larger than the pointed portions. In this example, the base portions extend radially outwards relative to the pointed portions. Each protrusion-forming member 72 includes a piston member, in this example an elongate shaft 84 that extends from its proximal end 80 towards its distal end 82. The elongate shafts slidably and sealably extend through apertures 76 of outer wall 52.

Each protrusion-forming member 72 includes a stopping member 86 that is arcuate-shaped and circumferentially extending in this example. Each stopping member is connected to and is interposed between a respective base portion 85 of the distal end 82 of the respective protrusion-forming member 72 and shaft 84. The stopping members extend radially outwards relative to the base portions 85 of the distal ends 82 of the protrusion-forming members 72 in this example.

The protrusion-forming members 72 and 74 are moveable outwards from the housing 46 towards the inner surface 34 of the wall 30 of the pile 22. They move outwards and selectively deform portions 88 of the wall 30 of the pile 22 upon pressurized hydraulic fluid from reservoir 64, seen in FIG. 1, being applied to the outer chamber 56 of the housing 46. The protrusion-forming members via their distal ends 82 create outwardly-extending protrusions 90 in the pile thereby as seen in FIG. 5. The protrusion-forming members so configured may be referred to a means for selectively creating outwardly-extending protrusions in the pile.

The apparatus 20 includes a plurality of support members, as shown by support members 92 and 94 in FIG. 3. In this example there are three axially spaced-apart, circumferentially arranged sets 95, 97 and 99 of support members, as seen in FIG. 2. The sets 77, 79 and 81 of the protrusion-forming members 72 and 74 correspond to the sets 95, 97 and 99 of the support members, respectively. In this example, each set of support members comprises four circumferentially spaced-apart support members, as shown by support members 92 and 94 for set 97 seen in FIG. 3. Each support member is arcuate-shaped in this example, though this is not strictly required in situations, for example, where the pile is square in section, for example. The support members are located radially outwards from the housing 46.

As seen in FIG. 4, each support member 92 has a top 96, a bottom 98 opposite the top, and a pair of spaced-apart sides 100 and 102 that extend between the top and bottom thereof. The tops 96 and bottoms 98 are arcuate-shaped in this example. This is seen in FIG. 3 where the cross-sectional portions of the support members shown in FIG. 3 are substantially the same in profile as the tops and bottoms of the support members in this example. The support members extend from bottoms 98 to tops 96 in parallel to axis 38 seen in FIG. 3 in this example. Each support member has a convexly-shaped, or arcuate-shaped, outer surface 104 facing the inner surface 34 of the pile 22 and a concavely-shaped inner surface 106 in this example facing the outer wall 52. The surfaces 104 and 106 are generally rectangular in elevation profile in this example and extend between the sides 100 and 102 and tops 96 and bottoms 98 of the support members 92.

Each support member has at least one aperture, and in this example has a pair of circumferentially spaced-apart apertures 108 and 110, as seen in FIG. 4, that extend from surface 104 to surface 106. The apertures are positioned between the top 96 and bottom 98 of each support member 92 in this example. Aperture 108 is positioned adjacent to side 100 and aperture 110 is positioned adjacent to side 102 in this example. As seen in FIG. 3, the distal ends 82 of the protrusion-forming members 72 and 74 extend through the apertures 108 and 110, respectively, of the support members. The stopping members 86 are larger than the apertures 108 and 110 of the support members 92.

The apparatus 20 includes a plurality of piston members, in this example actuator rods, with in this example a pair of actuator rods 112 and 114 per support member 92 as seen in FIG. 4. The actuator rods are interposed between sides 100 and 102 in this example and are interposed between apertures 108 and 110 in this example. Actuator rod 112 is positioned adjacent to top 96 of the support member 92 and actuator rod 114 is positioned adjacent to bottom 98 of the support member in this example. Each actuator rod has a proximal end 116 and a distal end 118, seen in FIG. 3, which is spaced-apart from its proximal end. The distal ends of the actuator rods connect to the inner surfaces of the support members, as seen in FIG. 3 by distal end 118 of actuator rod 114 connecting to surface 106 of support member 92.

The proximal ends 116 of the actuator rods 114 are in fluid communication with the inner chamber 58. Each actuator rod sealably and slidably extends through a respective one of the circumferentially and axially spaced-apart apertures 120 of the outer wall 52, seen in FIG. 3, through one of sleeves 43, seen in FIG. 3, and through one of circumferentially and axially spaced-apart apertures 122 of the inner wall 54. Respective apertures 120 and 122 thus align with each other. Apertures 120 and 122 are circumferentially spaced-apart from apertures 76 and 78 of outer wall 52. The support members 92 and 94 thus extend outwardly from the housing 46 and the support members slidably connect to the housing 46 via the actuator rods 112 and 114.

The support members 92 and 94 have a retracted position, seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, in which the support members are radially inwardly spaced-apart from the inner surface 34 of the wall 30 of the pile 22. Adjacent ones of the support members abut each other in the retracted position at their sides 100 and 102 as seen in FIG. 3. Pressurized hydraulic fluid from reservoir 62 seen in FIG. 1, which is applied to the inner chamber 58 seen in FIG. 2, causes the support members to move radially outwards to an extended portion, seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, for abutting the inner surface 34 of the wall 30 of the pile 22. The support members are proximal to each other so as to substantially support those portions 105 of the inner surface of the wall of the pile which extend circumferentially around the protrusion-forming members when the protrusions 90 are being formed. The support members so configured may be referred to as a means for selectively abutting and supporting the wall of the pile when the protrusions is being formed.

Pressurized hydraulic fluid from reservoir 64, seen in FIG. 1, is next applied to cause the protrusion-forming members 72 and 74 to move outwards with their distal ends 82 moving radially past the support members 92 to form protrusions 90 in the pile as seen in FIGS. 5 and 6. In this example, the distal ends 82 move radially through apertures 108 and 110 of the support members 92 and 94. In other embodiments, the protrusion-forming members may be moved between adjacent ones of the support members such as, for example, between their sides 100 and 102 and/or between tops 96 and bottoms 98 of adjacent ones of the support members.

As seen in FIG. 6, the stopping members 86 abut portions 124 of the inner surface 106 of the support members 92 adjacent to the apertures 108 of the support members upon the protrusions 90 being formed. The stopping members are shaped to abut the support members upon the protrusions being formed and are shaped to inhibit radially outwards movement of the protrusion-forming members thereafter. The stopping members 86 thus inhibit piercing of the pile wall, as may otherwise occur as shown by pierced protrusion 101 in FIG. 9. Should the protrusions be pierced, this may reduce the skin friction between the outer surface 36 of the pile 22 and the surrounding soil because groundwater can seep into the pile, causing soil migration and disrupting this soil-to-pile contact.

In this manner, protrusions 90 may be selectively formed in the pile 22, as seen in FIG. 1. The protrusion-forming members 72 and 74 and support members 92 and 94 may then be selectively retracted, moving inwards towards the housing 46. The apparatus 20 may then be selectively raised by winch mechanism 40 via cable 44 to form protrusions along other sections axially spaced-apart along the length of the pile 22, as seen in FIGS. 7 and 8. In addition and/or alternatively, the apparatus 20 may next be axially rotated, by for example rotating cable 44, with the apparatus 20 then being in position to form further protrusions that are circumferentially spaced-apart from the protrusions 90.

The pile with the protrusions so formed may be better secured to the ground 24 compared to a pile having no such protrusion. The invention as herein described may be particularly useful for situations where the pile 22 relies on pure shaft resistance and little to no toe resistance. However, the apparatus and system as herein described may also be useful for any tubular pile. Toe resistance may refer to the resistance of the pile arising from the bottom end of the pile standing on hard soil.

According to another aspect, there is provided a method for securing the pile 22 in the ground 24. The method includes first driving the pile into the ground according to a convention manner, using a pile driver, for example. The method includes lowering the apparatus 20 into the portion 125 of the pile driven into the ground 24, as seen in FIG. 1. The method next includes filling the pile with water 126 seen in FIG. 1 in this example so that the water within the pile is above the groundwater table 23 seen in FIG. 1. Adding water to the pile in this manner may ensure that the water pressure within the pile is equal to and greater than that of the surrounding groundwater. The water so positioned within the pile thus inhibits soil from entering into the pile should the protrusions pierce through the pile, and thus inhibits soil migration associated with ground water and promotes the integrity of the skin friction and the shaft resistance of the pile.

Referring to FIG. 1, the method includes lowering the apparatus 20 into a desired place within the interior 32 of the pile 22 by actuating cable 44 of winch mechanism 40 in this example.

The method next includes moving the support members 92 and 94 radially outwards by supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid from reservoir 62 seen in FIG. 1 to chamber 58 of the apparatus 20 as seen with reference to FIGS. 3 and 6. The method next includes moving the protrusion-forming members 72 and 74 radially outwards and against the wall 30 of the pile 22 by supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid from reservoir 64 seen in FIG. 1 to chamber 56 of the apparatus 20 as seen with reference to FIGS. 3 and 6 and forming outwardly-extending protrusions 90 in the pile thereby.

The protrusion-forming members and support members are then hydraulically retracted radially inwards such that the support members remain spaced-apart from and free of the inner surface 34 of wall 30 of the pile 22 as seen in FIG. 2.

The apparatus 20 may then be selectively raised upwards, as shown by arrow 128 in FIG. 1, and/or rotated as shown by arrow 129 in FIG. 2, while wet concrete simultaneously is poured through passageway 57. The concrete may increase the internal shear capacity of the inner pile wall to pile fill material. It may also act to inhibit the effects of puncturing of the pile, as seen in FIG. 9, by quickly filling in such gaps with concrete and reducing the effects or extent of an soil migration. The concrete may also be compacted down, thereby forcing the material out of the pierced portions of the protrusions to this end. Voids in the concrete may also be reduced and the shear strength of the pile thus increased thereby. Further protrusions may next be formed in the manner described above and the process repeated until a desired pile resistance is achieved.

Referring to FIG. 2, passageway 57 enables those portions of pile 22 below the apparatus 20 to be immediately filled with concrete. The apparatus forms protrusions and may then be moved up to another section of the pile 22. Concrete may flow through conduit 63 to fill up those portions of the pile below the apparatus as the apparatus is raised in this manner. The concrete so quickly applied results in a system that mitigates the risk of soil entering the pile if, for example, the protrusions pierced through the pile.

The structure of the housing 46, with its walls and chambers, is by way of example only. Many variations in this structure are possible to house protrusion-forming members 72 and support members 92 that are selectively moveable outwards. Also, the reservoirs 62 and 64 may be part of apparatus 20, on the top 48 thereof for example, in other embodiments.

Protrusion-forming members 72 have been shown in fluid communication with chamber 56 and rods 112 and 114 of support members in fluid communication with chamber 58. In other embodiments, the protrusion-forming members may be in fluid communication with chamber 58 and the rods may be in fluid communication with chamber 56.

FIG. 10 shows an example of one of a plurality of support members 92.1 according to a second aspect for a system 18.1 and apparatus 20.1 for securing pile in the ground. Like parts have like numbers and functionings as the support members 92 and apparatus 20 shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 with the addition of “.1”. Support members 92.1 and apparatus 20.1 are substantially the same in parts and functions as support members 92 and apparatus 20 shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 with the exception that, instead of being arcuate-shaped in cross-section, each support member has an inner surface 106.1 that is planar. In this case, each support member is a circular segment in cross-section. Sides 100.1 and 102.1 are substantially edge-thin in this example. Actuators rods 114.1 abut and extend perpendicular from surfaces 106.1 of the support members 92.1. In all other manners, the rest of the apparatus 20.1 (not shown) may be substantially the same in parts and functions as apparatus 20 shown in FIGS. 1 to 9.

FIGS. 11 to 20 show a system 18.2 and apparatus 20.2 according to a third aspect for securing a pile 22.2 in the ground 24.2. Like parts have like numbers and function as the system 18 and apparatus 20 shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 with the addition of “.2”. System 18.2 and apparatus 20.2 are substantially the same as system 18 and apparatus 20 shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 with at least the following exceptions.

Apparatus 20.2 includes a first set 130 of actuators, in this example four actuators 134, 136, 138 and 140, best seen in FIG. 13. Still referring to FIG. 13, the apparatus includes a second set 142 of actuators, in this example five actuators 144, 146, 148, 150, and 165 coupled to the first set of actuators, with the first set of actuators being interposed between respective ones of the second set of actuators. Each of the actuators includes a longitudinal axis, as shown in FIG. 14 by longitudinal axes 151 and 153 for actuators 134 and 140, respectively.

The longitudinal axes of adjacent actuators 134, 136, 138 and 140 of the first set 130 of actuators are angularly spaced-apart by an angle α. This is shown in FIG. 14 by axis 153 being angled by angle α relative to axis 151. In this example, angle α is equal to 45 degrees, though the angle may be different in other embodiments.

As seen in FIG. 13, the longitudinal axes 157, 159 of an upper pair of actuators 144 and 146 of the second set 142 of actuators are in parallel with each other in this example. The longitudinal axes 161 and 163 of a lower pair of actuators 148 and 150 of the second set 142 of actuators are also parallel with each other in this example. The axes of the upper pair of actuators 144 and 146 are perpendicular to the axes of the lower pair of actuators 148 and 150 in this example, though this is not strictly required as they may be angled in other arrangements in other embodiments. The longitudinal axis 167 of the bottom actuator 165 extends in parallel with axes 157 and 159 of actuators 144 and 146 in this example.

As seen in FIG. 11, the longitudinal axes of the first set 130 and second set 142 of actuators substantially intersect with and extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 38.2 of the pile 22.2 in this example.

Each of the first set 130 of actuators 134, 136, 138, and 140 is hollow and cylindrical in this example, and as shown for actuator 138 in FIG. 15, each actuator includes a pair of spaced-apart ends 152 and 154 that are disc-shaped in this example, a cylindrical housing 156 that extends between said ends, a top 158 and a bottom 160, the top and bottom also extending between ends 152 and 154. Each of the actuators includes a cylindrical-shaped interior 162, and a plurality of chambers positioned within the interior, including a pair of spaced-apart peripheral chambers 164 and 166 adjacent to ends 152 and 154, respectively, and a central chamber 168 interposed between the peripheral chambers. The peripheral and central chambers are cylindrical in shape in this example. The ends 152 and 154 of the actuators have centrally disposed apertures 147 and 149 extending therethrough.

The first set 130 of actuators 138 have a plurality of outer ports 169 and 49.2 located adjacent to the top 158 and ends 152 and 154 thereof and in communication with the peripheral chambers. The actuators include a pair of central ports 51.2 and 172 interposed between the outer ports and located adjacent to the top and bottom thereof. The central ports are in communication with the central chamber 168. Ports 49.2, 51.2, 169, and 172 extend from the exteriors 155 of the first set 130 of actuators 138 to their interiors 162.

Each actuator includes a pair of reciprocable pistons 174 and 176 in this example interposed between the central chamber and the peripheral chambers 164 and 166, respectively. A pair of piston rods 84.2 and 178 couple to and extend longitudinally outwards from pistons 174 and 176, respectively, in a longitudinal direction relative to the longitudinal axes of the actuators, as seen by axis 151 for actuator 140 in FIG. 14. Referring back to FIG. 15, the piston rods extend through the apertures 147 and 149 in the ends 152 and 154 of each actuator 138.

The apparatus 20.2 includes a plurality of protrusion-forming members 72.2 and 74.2 fitted to respective ends 82.2 of the piston rods of the actuators 134, 136, 138 and 140 in this example. The distal ends of the piston rods and protrusion-forming members of respective ones of the actuators 134, 136, 138 and 140 are arranged in a spiral formation in this example as seen with reference to FIG. 13 and dotted lines of numerals 175 and 177.

The protrusion-forming members are shaped to form outwardly-extending protrusions in the pile 22.2 when the first set 130 of actuators 134, 136, 138 and 140 are actuated to move their piston rods outwards, as shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 15 and as shown by arrows 137 and 139. The pistons 174 and 176 abut ends 152 and 154 of their respective actuator when the actuators are in their extended modes in this example, as shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 15. The protrusion-forming members 72.2 and 74.2 are dome-shaped in this example, though this is not strictly required and the members may be conical or have other shapes in other embodiments. As seen in FIG. 11, there are four sets 77.2, 79.2, 81.2 and 180 of protrusion-forming members spaced-apart longitudinally relative to the longitudinal axis 38.2 of the pile 22.2 and apparatus 20.2.

Each of the second set 142 of actuators 144, 146, 148, 150 and 165 is hollow and cylindrical in this example, as shown for actuator 148 in FIG. 18. Each actuator includes a pair of spaced-apart ends 182 and 184 that are disc-shaped in this example, a cylindrical housing 186 that extends between said ends, a top 188 and a bottom 190 portion, the top and bottom also extending between ends 182 and 184. The ends 182 and 184 of the second set 142 of actuators are smaller in diameter than the ends 152 of the first set 130 of actuators in this example, as seen in FIG. 13. However, this is not strictly required and the actuators may have other sizes in other embodiments. The ends 182 and 184 of the actuators have apertures 183 and 185 extending therethrough. Referring back to FIG. 18, each of the actuators 144, 146, 148, 150 and 165 includes a cylindrical-shaped interior 192, and a plurality of chambers positioned within the interior, including a pair of spaced-apart peripheral chambers 194 and 196 adjacent to ends 182 and 184, respectively, and a central chamber 198 interposed between the peripheral chambers. The peripheral and central chambers are cylindrical in shape in this example.

Each of the second set 142 of actuators 148 has a plurality of outer ports 200 and 202 located adjacent to the top 188 and ends 182 and 184 thereof and in communication with the peripheral chambers. The actuators include a pair of central ports 204 and 206 interposed between the outer ports and located adjacent to the top and bottom thereof. The central ports are in communication with the central chamber 198. The ports 200, 202, 204 and 206 extend from the exteriors 205 of the second set 142 of actuators 148 to their interiors 192.

Each actuator 148 includes a pair of reciprocable pistons 208 and 210 in this example interposed between the central chamber and the peripheral chambers 194 and 196, respectively. A pair of piston rods 112.2 and 114.2 couple to and extend longitudinally outwards from pistons 208 and 210, respectively, in a longitudinal direction relative to the longitudinal axes of the actuators, as seen by axis 161 for actuator 150 in FIG. 13. Referring back to FIG. 18, the piston rods extend through apertures 183 and 185 of the ends 182 and 184 of each actuator 148.

As seen in FIGS. 16 to 18, a pair of support members 92.2 and 94.2 are coupled to piston rods 112.2 and 114.4 for each of the second set of actuators. Referring to FIGS. 19 and 20, the support members are shaped to selectively move outwards and abut and support the inner surface 34.2 of the pile 22.2 when hydraulic fluid is applied to their central chambers and removed from their peripheral chambers. The first set 130 of actuators 134, 136, 138 and 140 are actuated to move their piston rods outwards after and/or while the support members are moved outwards by applying fluid to their central chambers and removing it from their peripheral chambers. Where the first set and the second set of actuators are hydraulically connected together, outward movement of the piston rods of both sets of actuators may occur at generally the same time. As seen in FIG. 11, the apparatus 20.2 includes five sets 95.2, 97.2, 99.2, 141 and 143 of support members in this example.

Referring to FIG. 16, each of the support members 92.2 and 94.2 is substantially arcuate-shaped and plate-like in this example. However, in other embodiments the support members may include one or more recesses which render the support members lighter. Also, the support members may have other forms in other embodiments, such as, for example, being in the form of a series of bent elongate members, for example, that connect together. The support members extend circumferentially about the inner surface of at least part of the pile, in this example substantially a longitudinal semi-section portion of the pile. Each of the support members includes a brace, as shown by brace 212 for support member 94.2 in FIGS. 16 to 18. Each brace 212 is elongate, rod-like in this example, and extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of outwards movement of the support member in this example, as shown by arrows 214 and 215 seen in FIG. 18. However, this is not strictly required and other brace configurations for the support members can be used in other embodiments. As seen in FIG. 20, a first gap G₁ is formed between sides 102.2 of adjacent ones of the supports members 92.2 and 94.2 when the support members are in the extended mode. The gap is less than the diameter D of the stopping members 86.2 as seen in FIG. 20. The stopping members thus may abut portions 124.2 of the support members in the extended mode. In other embodiments, the sides 100.2 and 102.2 of the support members may be spaced-apart from the stopping members 86.2.

Adjacent pairs of support members from adjacent members of the second set 142 of actuators 144, 146, 148, 150 and 165 are spaced-apart from each other relative to the longitudinal axis 38.2 of the pile, as seen by second gap G₂ in FIG. 11. This enables protrusion-forming members 74.2 to extend therebetween. Gap G₂ is less than the diameter D of the stopping members 86.2. The stopping members thus may abut portions 216 adjacent to the ends and top/bottom of the support members in the extended mode.

As seen in FIGS. 11 and 14, conduit 63.2 extends in a longitudinal, vertical direction and is coupled to ends 154 of selective ones of respective the first and second set of actuators, in this example via spot welding. The conduit extends to the lower end of the apparatus 20.2 in this example and filler material may pass through the conduit to fill portions of the pile below the apparatus as desired.

As seen in FIGS. 15 and 18, the central chambers 168 and 198 of the first set 130 and second set 142 of actuators are hydraulically connected to each other via ports 51.2 and 172 of set 130 and ports 204 and 206 of set 142 which align with each other in this example. As seen in FIG. 13, respectively, first and second set of actuators are coupled together via portions of the actuators adjacent to the central chambers of the actuators. In this case, the bottom of actuator 144 is coupled to the top of actuator 134, the bottom of actuator 134 is coupled to the top of actuator 146 and this pattern repeats for the rest of the actuators. The peripheral chambers 164 and 166 and 194 and 194 of the first and second set of actuators are hydraulically connected to each other via conduits, in this example hoses 218 and 220 and connector, in this example t-shaped connectors 222 shown in FIG. 13.

Referring to FIG. 11, selective application of pressurized hydraulic fluid to the central chambers of the actuators via conduit 70.2 and selective removal of hydraulic fluid from the peripheral chambers of the actuators via conduits 68.2 and 219 causes the support members 92.2 to move outwards for supporting the pile and causes protrusion-forming members 74.2 to move outwards to form outwardly-extending protrusions 90.2 in the pile 22.2. Withdrawal of hydraulic fluid from the central chambers and the application of pressurized fluid to the peripheral chambers causes the support members and protrusion-forming members to retract, enabling the apparatus 20.2 to be selectively raised or rotated for forming further protrusions.

FIG. 21 shows a system 18.3 and apparatus 20.3 according to a fourth aspect for securing a pile 22.3 in the ground 24.3. Like parts have like numbers and functions as the system 18.2 and apparatus 20.2 shown in FIGS. 11 to 20 with decimal extension “.3” replacing decimal extension “.2” and being added for parts not previously having decimal extensions. System 18.3 and apparatus 20.3 are substantially the same as system 18.2 and apparatus 20.2 shown in FIGS. 11 to 21 with the following exceptions.

The peripheral chambers 164.3 and 166.3 of the first set 130.3 of actuators 134.3, and 136.3 are hydraulically connected to each other. The peripheral chambers 194 and 196 of the second set 142.3 of the actuators 144.3 and 146.3 are hydraulically connected to each other. Conduits, in this example hoses 224 and 226, are connected to a further hydraulic pressure, in this example, the selective removal of hydraulic fluid therethrough causing the support members (not shown for clarity) to extend outwards.

FIGS. 22 and 23 show a system 18.4 and apparatus 20.4 according to a fifth aspect for securing a pile 22.4 in the ground 24.4. Like parts have like numbers and functions as the system 18.2 and apparatus 20.2 shown in FIGS. 11 to 20 with decimal extension “.4” replacing decimal extension “.2” and being added for parts not previously having decimal extensions. System 18.4 and apparatus 20.4 are substantially the same as system 18.2 and apparatus 20.2 shown in FIGS. 11 to 21 with the following exceptions.

After an initial set of protrusions 90.4 have been formed in the pile 30.4 with apparatus 20.4, the apparatus may be rotated to form further protrusions. Thereafter, the apparatus may be incrementally raised and a flowable filler material in the form of sand 235 in this example may fill portions of the pile below the apparatus via conduit 63.4, in this example may fill a bottom half portion 235 of the pile seen in FIG. 23. Sand is not strictly required and other filler materials may be used, such as mud or control density fill (CDF), in other embodiments. The process may then continue and when the apparatus reaches a set point, in this example a halfway point 237 along the longitudinal length of the pile, a further filler material in this example in the form of concrete 238 may be added thereafter within a top half portion 240 of the pile via conduit 63.4. In this manner, the amount of concrete needed to secure the pile in place may be reduced, thereby resulting in a pile driving method which may be more economical.

FIGS. 24 and 25 show a part of a system 18.5 and apparatus 20.5 according to a sixth aspect for securing a pile 22.5 in the ground 24.5. Like parts have like numbers and functions as the system 18.2 and apparatus 20.2 shown in FIGS. 11 to 20 with decimal extension “.5” replacing decimal extension “.2” and being added for parts not previously having decimal extensions. System 18.5 and apparatus 20.5 are substantially the same as system 18.2 and apparatus 20.2 shown in FIGS. 11 to 20 with the exceptions that the first set 130.5 of actuators, seen by way of example by actuator 138.5 in FIG. 24, and the second set 142.5 of actuators, seen by way of example by actuator 148.5 in FIG. 25, comprise telescoping pistons/cylinders. Such pistons/cylinders may increase the stroke of the actuators and enable apparatus 20.5 to operate on piles of a greater range of sizes. Telescoping pistons/cylinders, including their various parts and functionings, are well known to those skilled in the art and therefore will not be described in further detail.

Additional Description

There is provided an apparatus for securing a hollow pile in the ground. The apparatus includes a plurality of spaced-apart protrusion-forming members. The protrusion-forming members are moveable for selectively deforming portions of the wall of the pile and creating outwardly-extending protrusions in the pile upon pressurized hydraulic fluid being applied to the apparatus. The apparatus includes a plurality of support members. The support members are shaped to selectively abut and support the inner surface of the wall of the pile prior to and when the protrusions are being formed.

Examples of apparatuses for securing a hollow pile in the ground, and a system and method therefor, have been described. The following clauses are offered as further description.

-   -   1) An apparatus for securing a hollow pile in the ground, the         apparatus including a plurality of spaced-apart         protrusion-forming members for selectively deforming portions of         the wall of the pile and creating outwardly-extending         protrusions in the pile upon pressurized hydraulic fluid being         applied to the apparatus, the apparatus including a plurality of         support members extending outwardly from the apparatus and         shaped to selectively abut and support the wall of the pile when         the protrusions are being formed.     -   2) The apparatus of clause 1, wherein the pile has a wall with         an inner surface, and the support members selectively abut the         inner surface of the wall.     -   3) The apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the apparatus         is positionable within the pile.     -   4) The apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the apparatus         includes a housing having an interior and a plurality of         apertures, the protrusion-forming members slidably extending         through the apertures of the housing and being moveable outwards         from the housing for selectively deforming portions of the wall         of the pile and creating outwardly-extending protrusions in the         pile upon pressurized hydraulic fluid being applied to the         interior of the housing.     -   5) The apparatus of clause 4, wherein the support members extend         outwardly from the housing.     -   6) The apparatus of clause 4 or 5, wherein the pile is tubular,         the apertures of the housing are circumferentially spaced-apart,         the protrusion-forming members radially extend outwards and are         circumferentially spaced-apart, and the support members are         circumferentially spaced-apart.     -   7) The apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the support         members have outer surfaces that are arcuate-shaped.     -   8) The apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the support         members are proximal to each other so as to substantially         support those portions of the wall of the pile circumferentially         extending around the protrusion-forming members.     -   9) The apparatus of any one of clauses 4 to 6 wherein the         housing is cylindrical     -   10) The apparatus of any one of clauses 4 to 6 wherein the         support members are located radially outwards from the housing         and selectively abut and support the inner surface of the wall         of the pile.     -   11) The apparatus of any preceding clause, further including a         plurality of piston members each of which connects to a         respective one of the support members, and wherein the apparatus         includes an annular outer wall, an annular inner wall that is         operatively connected to and is radially-inwardly spaced-apart         from the outer wall, an outer chamber interposed between the         inner wall and the outer wall, and an inner chamber positioned         within the inner wall, the protrusion-forming members being in         fluid communication with a first one of the inner chamber and         the outer chamber and the piston members being in fluid         communication with a second one of the inner chamber and the         outer chamber.     -   12) The apparatus of clause 11 wherein the inner wall has a         plurality of spaced-apart apertures through which the piston         members slidably extend and wherein pressurized hydraulic fluid         applied to the inner chamber causes the support members to move         radially outwards for abutting the inner surface of the wall of         the pile.     -   13) The apparatus of any preceding clause wherein the support         members are moveable from a retracted position in which the         support members are radially inwardly spaced-apart from the         inner surface of the wall of the pile to an extended position in         which the support members abut the inner surface of the wall of         the pile.     -   14) The apparatus of clause 13 wherein respective adjacent ones         of the support members may abut each other in the retracted         position.     -   15) The apparatus of any one of clauses 4 to 6, 9 and 10,         further including a plurality of radially inwardly extending         piston members, each rod connecting to a respective one of the         support members, the support members slidably connecting to the         housing via the piston members.     -   16) The apparatus of any preceding clause wherein each of the         protrusion-forming members has an arcuate-shaped stopping member         shaped to abut the support members upon the protrusions being         formed and shaped to inhibit radially outwards movement of the         protrusion-forming members thereafter.     -   17) The apparatus of any preceding clause wherein each of the         support members has at least one aperture, wherein distal ends         of the protrusion-forming members extend through said apertures         of the support members, and wherein the stopping members are         larger than the apertures of the support members and abut         portions of the support members adjacent to the apertures of the         support members upon the protrusions being formed.     -   18) The apparatus of any one of clauses 4 to 6, 9, 10 and 15,         wherein pressurized hydraulic fluid applied to the interior of         the housing causes the support members to move outwardly and         abut the inner surface of the wall of the pile and causes the         protrusion-forming members to selectively move outwards and         radially past the support members to form protrusions in the         pile.     -   19) The apparatus of any preceding clause, further including a         passageway extending therethrough, the passageway being shaped         to receive pile fill material therethrough for filling the pile         with said material upon raising the apparatus to a different         longitudinal section along the pile.     -   20) The apparatus of any preceding clause wherein the supports         members are circular segments in cross-section.     -   21) An apparatus for securing a hollow pile in the ground, the         apparatus comprising a protrusion-forming member selectively         moveable outwards towards the inner surface of the pile to         create an outwardly-extending protrusion in the pile upon         pressurized hydraulic fluid being applied to the apparatus, and         the apparatus comprising a support member extending outwardly         from the protrusion-forming member and being shaped to         selectively abut and support the inner surface of the wall of         the pile prior to and when the protrusion is being formed.     -   22) The apparatus of any one of clauses 1 to 3 including a means         for selectively creating an outwardly-extending protrusion in         the pile and a means for selectively abutting and supporting the         wall of the pile prior to and when the protrusion is being         formed.     -   23) An apparatus for securing a hollow pile in the ground, the         apparatus comprising: a means for selectively creating an         outwardly-extending protrusion in the pile; and a means for         selectively abutting and supporting the wall of the pile prior         to and when the protrusion is being formed.     -   24) A method of securing a hollow pile to the ground using an         protrusion forming apparatus having both a plurality of         spaced-apart protrusion-forming members and a plurality of         spaced-apart support members, the method comprising: driving the         pile into the ground; lowering the apparatus into a portion of         the pile driven into the ground; moving the support members         outwards to abut the wall of the pile by supplying pressurized         hydraulic fluid to the apparatus; and moving the         protrusion-forming members outwards and against the wall of the         pile by supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid to the apparatus         and thereby forming outwardly-extending protrusions in the pile.     -   25) The method of clause 24, wherein, before forming the         protrusions, further including the step of: filling the pile         with water.     -   26) The method of any one of clauses 24 and 25, the apparatus         having a pair of chambers, the support members hydraulically         connecting to a first one of the chambers and the         protrusion-forming members hydraulically connecting to a second         one of the chambers, and wherein the method further includes the         steps of: supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid to the first one         of the chambers for moving the support members radially         outwards; and supplying a further pressurized hydraulic fluid to         the second one of the chambers for moving the protrusion-forming         members radially outwards.     -   27) The method of any one of clauses 24 to 26, the         protrusion-forming members being radially extending and         circumferentially spaced-apart and the support members being         circumferentially spaced-apart, and wherein the method further         includes: selectively retracting the protrusion-forming members         and the support members radially inwards; rotating the         apparatus; and then further moving the support members outwards         by supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid to the apparatus; and         further moving the protrusion-forming members outwards and         against the wall of the pile by supplying pressurized hydraulic         fluid to the apparatus and thereby forming further protrusions         in the pile.     -   28) The method of any one of clauses 24 to 26, the         protrusion-forming members being radially extending and         circumferentially spaced-apart and the support members being         circumferentially spaced-apart, and wherein the method further         includes: selectively retracting the protrusion-forming members         and the support members radially inwards; moving the apparatus         axially; and then further moving the support members outwards by         supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid to the apparatus; and         further moving the protrusion-forming members outwards and         against the wall of the pile by supplying pressurized hydraulic         fluid to the apparatus and thereby forming further protrusions         in the pile.

It will be understood by someone skilled in the art that many of the details provided above are by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention which is to be determined with reference to at least the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for securing a hollow pile in the ground, the pile having a wall with an inner surface, the apparatus comprising: a protrusion-forming member selectively extendable outwards towards the inner surface of the pile to create an outwardly-extending protrusion in the pile; and a support member shaped to selectively move outwards to abut and support the inner surface of the wall of the pile.
 2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the support member is shaped to selectively move outwards to abut and support the inner surface of the wall of the pile when the protrusion is being formed.
 3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the support member is shaped to selectively move outwards to abut and support the inner surface of the wall of the pile prior to the protrusion being formed.
 4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further including an actuator configured to selectively move the protrusion-forming member outwards to create the protrusion in the pile upon pressurized hydraulic fluid being applied to the actuator.
 5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further including an actuator configured to selectively move the support member outwards to abut and support the inner surface of the wall of the pile when pressurized hydraulic fluid is applied to the actuator.
 6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support member extends about the inner surface of at least part of the pile.
 7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the support member includes a brace that extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to outwards movement of the support member.
 8. An apparatus for securing a hollow pile in the ground, the pile having a wall with an inner surface, the apparatus comprising: a first actuator and a second actuator, each of said actuators having a central chamber, a pair of spaced-apart peripheral chambers, a pair of pistons interposed between the central chamber and the peripheral chambers, respectively, and a pair of piston rods coupled to and extending outwards from respectively ones of the pistons, the piston rods of the first actuator being shaped to form protrusions in the pile when said first actuator is actuated to move its piston rods outwards; and a pair of support members operatively connected to the piston rods of the second actuator, the support members being shaped to abut and support the inner surface of the pile when said second actuator is actuated to move its piston rods outwards.
 9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the central chambers of the actuators are hydraulically connected to each other and wherein the peripheral chambers of the actuators are hydraulically connected to each other.
 10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the peripheral chambers of the first actuator are hydraulically connected to each other and wherein the peripheral chambers of the second actuator are hydraulically connected to each other.
 11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the support members are arcuate-shaped.
 12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the pistons are telescopic.
 13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, the pile having a longitudinal axis, wherein the actuators have longitudinal axes which substantially intersect with and extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pile.
 14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the actuators are coupled together via portions of the actuators adjacent to the central chambers of the actuators.
 15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 further including a third actuator substantially similar to the second actuator, the first actuator stacking on top of the second actuator, the third actuator stacking on top of the first actuator, the first actuator having protrusion-forming members connected to respective ones of its piston rods, the protrusion-forming members being shaped to selectively extend between the support members of the first actuator and the third actuator.
 16. An apparatus for securing a hollow pile in the ground, the pile having a wall with an inner surface, the apparatus comprising: a first set of actuators having piston rods with ends shaped to form outwardly-extending protrusions in the pile when said first set of actuators is actuated to extend its piston rods outwards; a second set of actuators coupled to and interposed between respective ones of the first set of actuators; and a plurality of support members operatively connected to piston rods of the second set of actuators, the support members being shaped to abut and support the inner surface of the pile when said second set of actuators is actuated to move its piston rods outwards.
 17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein the piston rods of the first set of actuators have distal ends arranged in a spiral formation.
 18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16, the pile having a longitudinal axis, and wherein the support members are spaced-apart from each relative to the longitudinal axis to enable at least one of the respective ones of the ends of the piston rods of the first set of actuators to selectively extend therebetween.
 19. A method of securing a hollow pile to the ground using the apparatus of claim 1, the pile having a bottom portion and a wall with an inner surface extending upwards from the bottom, the method comprising: driving the pile into the ground; lowering the apparatus into a portion of the pile driven into the ground; moving the support member outwards by supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid to the apparatus; moving the protrusion-forming member outwards and against the wall of the pile by supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid to the apparatus and thereby forming an outwardly-extending protrusion in the pile; incrementally raising the apparatus; filling a bottom portion of the pile with a flowable filler material as the apparatus is raised; and filling a top portion of the pile with concrete as the apparatus is further raised.
 20. The method as claimed in claim 19 including, after the moving step: rotating the apparatus and then supplying hydraulic fluid to move the support member outwards and the protrusion-forming member outwards to form a further protrusion.
 21. The method as claimed in claim 19 wherein the flowable filler material is one from the group consisting of sand, mud and control density fill. 